University of Maine vs University of Southern Maine: which has better ROI?
University of Southern Maine has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $54,384 in 34 years versus 239 years at University of Maine, on median earnings of $49,958 vs $48,653 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Maine | University of Southern Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,510 | $13,596 |
| Total net cost | $70,040 | $54,384 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,653 | $49,958 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $19,060 |
| Payback | 239 yrs | 34 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$64,180 | -$22,424 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Maine or University of Southern Maine?
University of Southern Maine, at $13,596 a year after aid versus $17,510 — a gap of $3,914 a year, or $15,656 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Maine or University of Southern Maine graduates earn more?
University of Southern Maine graduates report a median $49,958 ten years after entry, $1,305 more than the $48,653 at University of Maine. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Maine or University of Southern Maine?
University of Southern Maine: its completers carry a median $19,060 in federal loans versus $25,000 at University of Maine, a difference of $5,940. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at University of Maine, against 40% at University of Southern Maine. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.